I am totally that way with my male rescue. I think he is the most boring color fish on the planet. If my roommates weren't going to flush him and/or hadn't been taking terrible care of him I would have never chosen this fish. That being said, his care is just as good as my beautiful dalmatian female. I am more attached to her because I raised her up from such a tiny fry, but I wouldn't neglect him because of that. To neglect my fish would be to neglect my plants.

I would like to suggest Vita-chem to get some color back in your fish. It might help him develop his colors stronger. Or maybe not. It would be worth a try though!